THE WINTER'S TALE- Free Shakespeare in the Park 2026

The best of third spaces in urban places

When Alexa Smith, the Associate Artistic Director of The Public Theater NYC sets the stage and greets the audience for the latest production of Shakespeare in the Park in Central Park, the audience, either instinctively or habitually, knows they are just minutes from what they have been anticipating and the excitement is palpable and collective. As we find out from her introduction, which includes surveying the audience, some come from near and some come from far. We discover in real time and through a show of hands, or in some cases a vocal display of shouts and cheers, many are Manhattan residents, but there’s good representation from the outer boroughs as well, and including Staten Island. To be honest, the latter is just one young man, but he leaps to his feet when his borough is called. Deservedly, he gets the most robust clap from fellow audience members as New Yorkers know he probably took a ferry, train and transfer to attend. What appears to make up at least a quarter of the audience, are non- New York residents that includes folks from Michigan, California and Texas, to name a few.

Whether in or out of Manhattan specifically, or in or out of the state, all are welcome and appreciated. Regardless if you won your tickets through the online lottery system, or fortunate enough as myself to have press passes awaiting at Will Call, or like most, arrived early to get in the physical line next to the Delacorte Theater in the park, hanging out for several hours before collecting your free tickets, Alexa and the Public Theater staff seem genuinely grateful for everyone. She reminds us all that we’re here in large part due to individual donations, foundations, corporate sponsors and government agencies. All with the goal of keeping Shakespeare in the Park “forever free.”

For this, the second installment for the 2026 season of The Public Theater’s free Shakespeare in the Park following up Romeo & Juliet, is “The Winter’s Tale” directed by Daniel Sullivan and runs through August 23.  The drama, which by all accounts and despite its title, has nothing specific to being in winter, tells the story of the King of Sicilia, Leontes who becomes imbued with unjustified jealousy and is convinced his pregnant wife, Herimone, has been unfaithful. While she is imprisoned for her accused crime of infidelity, she gives birth. To ensure the princess’s safety, the royal baby is smuggled to the coast of Bohemia where an old shepherd finds her and names her Perdita. Fast forward Sixteen years and Perdita falls in love with a prince in disguise. Back in her home kingdom her natural father, the king, lives pitifully in regret of his acts of jealousy and mourns the loss of his son and wife. It is a sad story of self determination and destiny, peppered with a bit of romance and some obligatory comic relief. 

Per usual, the Public Theater’s ensemble cast is divinely diverse in every way, not least of which is the combination of local and little-known talent mixed with more high profile actors from stage, TV and film. Heading up the production is a gritty and beguiling performance by Raul Esparza (“Dopesick,” Law and Order SVU”) as Leontes, and Gilbert Owour as Polixenes. While the male characters make up the lions share of the cast and leads, it is the main female roles that are most noticeable and notable. Lilly Rabe (“Shrinking,” “American Horror Story”) as queen Herimone and Marsha Stephanie Blank (”The  Madness”) as Paulina, the queen’s lady-in-waiting and loyal advocate. Both are rich, complex characters and performed with a delicious voracity. The two perform strong monologues and verbally spar fiercely with their male counterparts. Blank’s deliveries, although in the original language, manage to ring contemporary and relatable, always eliciting well deserved applause.

The other outstanding aspect of the production is the set design by Maruti Evans. Overall, the design which changes a few times throughout, is minimal, yet eye-catching. The winter scene of snowy lawns outside the palace, snowflakes on the windows and fur throws strewn across the rustic thrones at the onset seems to play tricks on one’s brain. Although it was a sweltering, humid night when I attended, the design actually and instantly made me feel a few degrees cooler. Suddenly, the play’s selection seemed perfect for an audience in August. When time and seasons progressed, it was equally refreshing to witness the landscape of spring in Bohemia, with flowers and greenery abounding. But brevity is the soul of wit, to quote the bard from another Shakespeare classic, and this production, at almost three hours, including an intermission, is in need of some trimming. Alternatively, if kept as is, starting the performance an hour earlier would suffice. Either way, “The Winter’s Tale” and the magic that is the Public Theater’s free Shakespeare in the Park experience, is well worth anyone’s time and effort in attending. Whether on the beloved stage at the Delacorte Theater or as a mobile tour throughout the five boroughs, the Public Theater/Shakespeare in the Park is one of the finest gems of New York. Its enduring commitment to free access to all is an example of a third space at its best.

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